ELAINE ANDREA BENTLEY (EINARSON)

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ELAINE ANDREA BENTLEY
October 14, 1944 - December 15, 2022

It is with heavy hearts that the family announce Elaine Bentley (nee Einarson) passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, December 15, 2022 at the age of 78.
Elaine was predeceased by her parents Joseph and Kristen Einarson and is survived by her loving husband Gerald (Gerry) and will be sorely missed by son Kenneth (Ken) Bentley and daughter Andrea Bentley along with grandchildren Katreena and Samuel, step-grandchildren Brendan, Julia, and Tristen. Elaine is also survived by her brothers Claude, Edward, and Eric (Sylvie), nieces Marcy, Kristy (Cam), their children Tate and Ruby. She will also be missed by many other nieces and lifelong friends Margaret, Audrey, Randy, Pauline, Brian and Mary-all who stayed close to her as she battled through dementia these last years.
Elaine was born in Gimli, MB, on October 14, 1944 to Joseph and Kristen Einarson and was one of four children. The family moved frequently due to their father's work and eventually settled down in Brooklands, MB where all the kids attended Brooklands School. Elaine became the matriarch early on, looking after her younger brothers as both of her parents worked so she was tasked with keeping her three siblings out of trouble and this was no easy task as they were a rambunctious crew. She did her best and it all worked out in the end as her brothers all became successful men in their field.
Elaine left school after completing grade ten and worked for a variety of jobs before eventually settling at Eaton's. Elaine met her husband Gerald at a Brooklands Community Centre dance and continued to date until they were wed on August 10, 1962.
Gerry and Elaine moved to Transcona in 1969 and Elaine stayed home to raise their two children until they were old enough to get themselves to and from school at which point she wrote her GED. Following this Elaine enrolled in the Herzing Business College for a two-year secretary course, where she excelled in every area.
Immediately following her graduation at Herzing, Elaine was hired by the United Food and Commercial Workers where she worked for approximately five years. She left this position to join the United Steel Workers where she eventually became the office manager and remained at this post for 25 years until her retirement.
Elaine and her husband Gerry were fortunate to travel after their retirement to England, Scotland, Hawaii, Mexico, and a Caribbean cruise. The couple purchased a retirement home in Bonita Springs, Florida to be closer to their daughter, Andrea and grandson, Sam who reside in Naples, Florida. Elaine and Gerry loved their winters in Florida immensely, meeting many new friends and enjoying the warm weather and variety of activities. They continued to return every winter to Florida until it became too difficult to do so due to Elaine's decline.
We will continue to remember her beauty, her sense of humor and salty language! She loved and fiercely protected her children, her brothers, grandchildren, nieces, aunts, uncles and friends-she was the true matriarch of her family. She also loved the many dogs that were an integral part of the family throughout her life-Precious, Chloe, Megan, all miniature poodles, and one Chihuahua, Domino who pretended to be a Rottweiler. Elaine is survived by one last pet, Gracie, who continues to keep Gerry loyal company.
Our family wants to express our deepest gratitude to the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and the personal home care that was provided and gave Elaine a dignified quality of life throughout her battle with dementia. We want to especially thank Ingrid Robinson of Spragg's Health Care Services for their exemplary care of Elaine as she always made her smile and treated her as one of her own. We would also like to express our appreciation for the nurses and staff at the Riverview Care Home for their kindness and compassionate care for Elaine for the short time she was in their care.
Cremation has taken place and a celebration of life ceremony will be held in the spring of 2023 to commemorate a life well lived, full of tenacity, laughs, tears, family, and triumph. She lived to see her entire family prosper to meaningful and successful careers with their own families and was so incredibly proud of everyone under her charge. She will remain forever in our hearts.
In lieu of flowers donations are encouraged to the Alzheimer Society of Canada or a charity of choice.

E.J. COUTU & CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS
680 Archibald Street
204-253-5086
ejcoutu.ca

Publish Date: Dec 24, 2022

ELAINE ANDREA BENTLEY

It is with heavy hearts that the family announce Elaine Bentley (nee Einarson) passed away peacefully, in her sleep, on Thursday, December 15, 2022, at the age of 78 years.
A longer obituary will follow next Saturday, December 24, 2022.

E.J. COUTU & CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS
204-253-5086

Publish Date: Dec 17, 2022

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 17, 2022, Dec 24, 2022